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Board debates flood wall, riverwalk route and Army Corps permitting in Fernandina Beach
Summary
The CRA advisory board discussed the proposed resiliency wall alignment, Army Corps and Water Management District permitting (estimated 6–9 months), and whether a continuous riverwalk should be required on city-owned land or rely on private property agreements; staff will send members the Kimley Horn plan for review.
The advisory board spent substantial time on flood-control design and river access after staff reported that the resiliency wall permit is under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the regional Water Management District. “They’re in the review process with the Army Corps,” staff said. “That’s a 6 to 9 month process.”
Commissioners sought clarity about the wall’s alignment and whether the Corps will permit building at the Butler (mean high water) line or require the wall to be located on land along Front Street/railroad side. One commissioner warned that if the Corps will not permit construction in the water, “the flood wall is gonna have to go along Front Street on the railroad side,” a change that would alter costs and the feasibility of a riverwalk north of 101 North Front Street.
The board also debated how to protect public access to the river in the CRA plan language. Several members pressed to change wording that emphasized "pedestrian facilities" to explicitly guarantee public access on city-owned parcels and to add a requirement that any lease of public land include an access clause. One commissioner recommended inserting language to “ensure public access” in the introductory objective for the waterfront.
Staff agreed to distribute the Kimley Horn plan to board members so they can review proposed alignments, fences and any riverwalk elements prior to the next meeting. The board also discussed plan B options — building the wall on land alongside the railroad — and noted that building on land is often less costly and may not require an Army Corps permit.
Next steps: staff will email the Kimley Horn plan to members and follow up with specific permit timing information the next time the board meets.
